watchOS 5.1 Update Bricking Some Apple Watches [Update: Apple Temporarily Pulls watchOS 5.1]

[Jetfire]

One thing you guys can try is too update too IOS 12.1 1st and then update your watch OS and see how that goes

That's what I did. AW4 is stuck on Apple Logo. Had the Progress Ring start but it went away. Now All I have is the Apple Logo. I have an appointment at the Apple Store tomorrow at 1. Phone support was no help.

 

[archvile]

I updated my S4 and no problems.
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It's not true. My watch app found the update for 5.1 before I updated to 12.1. I installed the 12.1 update first just to be safe.

They’ve changed that then, used to be the iOS update would enable the new watch update to be pulled, so that you couldn’t run a version of watchOS that was incompatible with the version of iOS. Maybe that is just for major version updates now, and not these X.1 updates.

 

[haddy]

Weird. This was by far the fastest and smoothest Apple Watch update I've ever seen. Took all of 10 minutes tops from start to finish on my Series 4. Nothing like the sometimes 1-2 hours I've seen in the past on my previous S0 & S1 watches.

Exactly the same here.....Series 4.
I updated my iPhone SE to 12.1 first.......don't know if that makes a difference.

 

[Jetfire]

My Apple Watch 3 took a while to install. At first it said two hours, but I think it actually took about 30 to 40 minutes.
The update didn't brick it.

Did you have the Progress ring the whole time? Just moving slow?

 

[44267547]

Realizing that millions of Apple Watch users likely won’t experience update issues, this will likely affect some randomly, it’s just an anomaly who will be affected and how. I usually like to wait at least a day or so before I update iOS or watchOS, which in some cases, I’m glad that’s my method.

 

[decypher44]

So glad I saw this before going home for the day. My plan was to update as soon as I got home. Forget that!!!

Thanks, MR!

 

[Khedron]

Liquid Brick feature is only available on S4

 

[Rogifan]

Mine updated but it was weird. First message I got was the download was paused because I wasn’t connected to WiFi (I was). Then it looked like it finished (but way too fast).

 

[Sterne]

You may have found your answer already but if not..
I was in exactly the same position as you - already initiated the update before seeing the bricking issue.
However it is possible to delete the download before it starts updating your watch.

If an update file has already been downloaded but not yet installed, then follow the steps here to remove it: On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch (tab) > General > Usage > Software Update - delete the download. You may need to scroll down the page to see the delete option.

Follow the instructions carefully as I was originally looking in the wrong place and thus couldn't find a delete option.

Still kind of surprised that Apple has not bothered to pull the release...

Magical! Thank you very much.

 

[maka344]

How do I stop a pending download? Mine is waiting for the charger?

 

[Trik]

Apple customer for 25 years. This is my first bricking, though I've dealt with other issues in the past with laptops, iMacs, and the first Watch.

It's not made up.




That's the same general process I followed. The advisor will walk you though a restart attempt before declaring the Watch dead. They'll then offer to send you a box to ship it back to them for replacement or you can schedule an appointment in a store.

Yep, confirmed. The phone person... who couldn't remember the "spinning button" was called Digital Crown... she was less than helpful. Glad I didn't cancel the original repair.

They did say I could go into a store, but the next available appointment was Thursday, and honestly, it could still need to be sent away so I just told them to send me the box.

 

[DrJohnnyN]

YEAH, LIKE THIS ONE!!

God, that's hideous.

 

[minicard]

Apple tech supports sent me to the Apple store for them to check it out. Soonest appointment is Saturday

 

[jlseattle]

LOL reading this while installing the new WatchOS on my new Apple watch I just got. Great..... Crossing fingers.

 

[Jeff Barlow]

Yep, confirmed. The phone person... who couldn't remember the "spinning button" was called Digital Crown... she was less than helpful. Glad I didn't cancel the original repair.

They did say I could go into a store, but the next available appointment was Thursday, and honestly, it could still need to be sent away so I just told them to send me the box.

In my experience, unless it's a known issue they'll want to send the device in for "diagnosis", which can take several days. I've only walked into an Apple Store once and gotten an immediate replacement, and that was for a mouse. i checked all of the local store appointments and the first one I could get was Friday, 30 miles away.

 

[Khedron]

Yep, confirmed. The phone person... who couldn't remember the "spinning button" was called Digital Crown... she was less than helpful. Glad I didn't cancel the original repair.

They did say I could go into a store, but the next available appointment was Thursday, and honestly, it could still need to be sent away so I just told them to send me the box.

Your S4 appears new enough that you haven't even updated your signature yet, so why not just return for a refund? No appointment necessary.

Going through a return and repair procedure for a new device bricked by Apple's own software update seems insane (without knowing your individual circumstances)

 

[Trik]

Your S4 appears new enough that you haven't even updated your signature yet, so why not just return for a refund? No appointment necessary.

Going through a return and repair procedure for a new device bricked by Apple's own software update seems insane (without knowing your individual circumstances)

Purchased during pre-order, delivered on 9/24. I'm outside the return window.

 

[graham86]

Updated Series 4 (GPS) to 5.1 without updating to iOS 12.1 first and all gone okay, is it only happening if you update to iOS 12.1 first?

 

[JoshBoy]

Can anyone confirm if it’s the gps or gps and cellular that is bricking or both?

 

[inigou]

Updated Series 4 to 5.1 without updating to iOS 12.1 first and all gone okay, is it only happening if you update to iOS 12.1 first?

I updated to iOS 12.1 first and no issues updating to watchOS 5.1 after

 

[ricktat]

I have an S4 arriving tomorrow as a battery replacement. Hope I don’t have to turn around and send that one back too.

I wonder is I should install on the one I am sending back anyways to see if it bricks

 

[Rocko99991]

Apple tech supports sent me to the Apple store for them to check it out. Soonest appointment is Saturday

Just show up. They will help you.

 

[Creepitor]

.

 

[metalsiren]

Updated SS SB S4 and wife’s gold aluminum just fine. Guess I got lucky since I would be pissed off of my SS SB was bricked since they are still a pain to get.

 

[SoGood]

Updated Series 4 (GPS) to 5.1 without updating to iOS 12.1 first and all gone okay, is it only happening if you update to iOS 12.1 first?

No. Same setup and updated to 12.1 first before 5.1. No problem here.